Cuz to me like most peep I believe that Nelson Mandela is
the so called Father of South Africa who spent his entire life fighting
segregation & Apartheid!!!
http://www.nelsonmandelas.com/apartheid.php
http://www.nelsonmandelas.com/apartheid.php
A documentary of Nelson Mandela's Life
So want to see today how Black peep are treated in a country
where the population break down is:
SA's POPULATION: CENSUS 2011
|
||
Population
group
|
Number
|
% of total
|
African
|
41 000 938
|
79.2%
|
White
|
4 586 838
|
8.9%
|
Coloured
|
4 615 401
|
8.9%
|
Indian/Asian
|
1 286 930
|
2.5%
|
Other
|
280 454
|
0.5%
|
TOTAL
|
51 770 560
|
100%
|
So got to wonder as want to see if racism and apartheid
still exists in South Africa!!
So as quoted from a former S.
African “Returning
to South Africa, I am always confronted by the extent to which this is a
country of such stark contradictions.
“First world- Third World” Is a common
phrase often mentioned, in a tone of nonchalant acceptance. On the one side
elaborate hotels and grandiose residences share the same vicinity as tin roofed
slums; while people beg weaving through the panoply of Mercedes CLKs and
4 by 4’s.
Since the two years that I last visited,
there have been visible changes- new airports and international conference
centres and stadiums to cater for last year’s much anticipated and symbolic
World Cup. South Africa is a country keen to exonerate
itself of its not so distant apartheid past.
Road signs have been assiduously changed
from the Afrikaans names of the architects of apartheid to the now African
names synonymous with its demise. However, although the institutions,
structures and laws have changed, alarmingly remnants of colour consciousness
still exist.
Watching a common national lifestyle
television programme, a presenter is shown around the ostentatious home of
Sorisha Naidoo- a former Asian beauty queen and now part of the bourgeoisie and
highest echelon of society. She made a successful business out of selling “Pure Perfect”- a skin
lightening cream. Apparently the 32 year old looks objectively paler in recent
years, a phenomenon she seems eager to exhibit and market to others, but that I
and many others find offensive and disgraceful.
Absurdly, clients can either chose the
Pure Perfect Cream “that will lift as much as 2-4 shades” or the Pure
Perfect Parfait a gel-based moisturiser that will lift as much as “4-7 shades
or as much as your body will allow”.
Alas, the archaic practice of skin
bleaching has existed for centuries and I am aware that such practices are
still commonplace in Pakistan and India. However, I expected more of South
Africans; that they would not fall prey to such explicit messages that equates
whiteness with beauty.
Perhaps what is more upsetting is not that
such products exist in the first place and are readily available but that they
are condoned and not boycotted like they ought to be- Further reinforcement
that those of us of colour are somewhat lesser beings.
There can be a myriad of structural
changes; names of roads can be changed for miles across the country, but there
has to be something else.
Mindsets have to change, and people of
colour need to somehow reconcile their own insecurities of their oppressed
colonial past with how they wish to be perceived positively in the future.“
Madagascar
Human Rights
By developing country standards, Madagascar has a moderately good human
rights record. However, numerous human rights violations, largely committed during
the Ratsiraka regime, have caused concern among international humanitarian
agencies. In the late 1970s, the government enacted a law concerning
Information against X for Plotting and Attack State Security under which anyone
can be arrested without warrant and held indefinitely without trial. The law
also enables the security forces to arrest, search, or seize property. Under
the French penal code, arrest is limited to forty-eight hours, but in
Madagascar the arrest time is extended to fifteen days and is renewable
indefinitely. The authorities never release information about the status of the
detainees who often are real or suspected opponents of Ratsiraka. Many
individuals in custody are beaten, tortured, or deprived of medical care.
Apart from s few these and similar incidents, Madagascar has taken some
steps to improve its human rights record. In December 1990, the government
abolished press censorship; by mid1991 , the state-owned Malagasy
Radio-Television allowed opposition figures to appear on a weekly discussion
program. - See more at: http://www.wildmadagascar.org/overview/loc/54-human_rights.html#sthash.PEqpgoOY.dpuf
Human Rights Context
The political situation in Madagascar has been characterised by
violent unrest and struggles for power since the country gained independence in
1960. In January 2009, many people died as a result of violence that took place
in Antananarivo and elsewhere in the country and more than 25 people were
reported to have been killed on 7 February 2009 when security forces fired on a
gathering of protestors outside one of the country’s presidential palaces. The
protest was staged by supporters of the then elected mayor of Antananarivo, Mr.
Andry Rajoelina, who had declared an intention to overthrow the government. In
March 2009, President Marc Ravalomanana fled the country in the midst of a
popular uprising and power was conferred to Mr Rajoelina, who is now President
of the transitional government in power. Demonstrations have been held intermittently
by the ex-President Ravalomanana’s supporters to show disapproval.
The instability of Madagascar’s political situation has resulted in an
economic downturn in the country and international donors have been reluctant
to continue with development aid, amid insecurities of how the money will be
spent. However, the `Feuille de route` or ‘the roadmap’, was signed on 16
September 2012, essentially an agreement between parties to the political
dispute, to work towards the holding of democratic elections in 2012. OHCHR
will offer support to the Government in re-establishing a democratic system of
governance and ensuring that the human rights of the Malagasy people are
observed.
Madagascar is among the world's poorest
countries. As such, people's day-to-day survival is dependent upon natural
resource use. Most Malagasy never have an option to become doctors, sports
stars, factory workers, or secretaries; they must live off the land that
surrounds them, making use of whatever resources they can find. Their poverty
costs the country and the world through the loss of the island's endemic
biodiversity.
Madagascar's major environmental problems
include:
Overexploitation of living resources
including hunting and over-collection of species from the wild.
Madagascar is among the world's poorest
countries. As such, people's day-to-day survival is dependent upon natural
resource use. Most Malagasy never have an option to become doctors, sports
stars, factory workers, or secretaries; they must live off the land that
surrounds them, making use of whatever resources they can find. Their poverty
costs the country and the world through the loss of the island's endemic
biodiversity.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of
caution in Madagascar at this time due to the unpredictable political
situation.
Pay close attention to your personal
security at all times and monitor the media and other local sources of
information about possible new safety or security risks.
Political tensions remain and the security
situation could deteriorate without warning. See Safety and security: Civil
unrest / political tension for more information.
Australians should avoid all protests and
demonstrations as they may turn violent. In 2012, protests and riots occurred
in central Antananarivo and near the airport.
Cyclone season is
November to April. See the Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate
section below for more detailed advice.
Security and Safety
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(FCO) advise against all but essential travel to Andohahela National Park and
against all travel on road RN13 between Ambovombe and Ihosy. Take great care
and follow local advice if you are travelling in the south east of the country.
See Local Travel
In 2012 there were around 7,700 British
visitors to Madagascar. Most visits are trouble free.
There has been continued political
instability in Madagascar since January 2009. The situation in the centre of
Antananarivo remains volatile and demonstrations at short notice are likely.
You should keep away from crowded areas and avoid going out at night in the
centre of the capital. See Local travel and Political situation
There is a low threat from terrorism. See Terrorism
There is widespread crime in Madagascar.
Take particular care on beaches where there have been attacks and robberies.
See Crime and Local travel
Visitors to Madagascar should travel with
established organisations or travel firms who have the capacity to monitor the
local media and warn of possible trouble. Remain vigilant and maintain a low
profile while moving around the country, in particular if travelling alone. If
travelling independently we advise that you monitor the local media closely and
keep abreast of the situation for the duration of your visit. See Local Travel
The cyclone season in Madagascar normally
runs from November to April. Coastal areas are particularly affected. See Natural Disasters
Piracy is a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, and
has occurred in excess of 1,000 nautical miles from the coast of Somalia.
Mozambique
Mozambique 2012
OSAC Crime and Safety Report
Overall Crime and Safety
Mozambique is a developing country in southern Africa which has been
steadily rebuilding its economy and civic institutions since ending a 16-year
civil war in 1992. The country stabilized following Mozambique's first
multi-party elections in October 1994, and the current president was reelected
in October 2009. Despite high economic growth rates in recent years,
Mozambique remains among the world's poorest countries, with a GDP per capita
of $440. Facilities for tourism in Maputo, the capital city, are steadily
improving but remain limited in other areas as many of the goods and services
taken for granted in other countries are not yet available. The official
language is Portuguese, although English is spoken in many tourist areas, and
in some rural areas only local languages are widely spoken.
The number of
violent crimes in Mozambique is comparable to most other African countries.
The chances of being victimized by crime in Mozambique are approximately the
same as in most major U.S. cities. In Mozambique, the assailants often
use forceful tactics, operate in semi-organized groups, and carry crude weapons
to facilitate their activities, increasing the possibility of physical harm.
As is common in most developing countries, expatriates are frequent targets due
to their perceived wealth. Therefore, it is essential that visitors to
Mozambique maintain heightened awareness and take the necessary security
precautions.
The majority of crimes against Americans are non-violent confrontations characterized as crimes of opportunity (i.e., pick pocketing, theft of unattended possessions in public places or hotel rooms, and bag snatching).
Narco-trafficking in Mozambique is an increasing problem. Porous
borders, coupled with endemic poverty and its proximity to South African
markets makes Mozambique vulnerable to organized criminal elements.
Narco-trafficking and human smuggling represents a growing threat to stability
and security in Mozambique and the region.
